Roy Moore says he will remain in race; Trump says if allegations are true, he should quit

by The Associated Press

Former Alabama Chief Justice and U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore leaves after he speaks at a church revival, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, in Jackson, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) —

Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore reiterated his intention to stay in the Alabama race Thursday, and said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is trying "to steal this election" by calling for him to step down amid allegations of sexual misconduct decades ago.

Moments later, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said at the White House daily press briefing that President Donald Trump wants Moore to vacate the race if the accusations are true.

Trump believes the decision should ultimately be left up to Alabama voters, Sanders said.

"The president believes these allegations are very troubling and should be taken seriously, and the people of Alabama should make the decision on who their next senator should be," Sanders said.

The new developments come as the Republican National Committee, the Senate GOP campaign committee and the party's leading voices in Congress have called on the 70-year-old former judge to quit the race.

At least three new allegations of misconduct were reported on Wednesday, including one by Tina Johnson, who told AL.com that Moore groped her during a 1991 meeting in his law office.

The special election is scheduled for Dec. 12. Moore is facing off against Democrat Doug Moore.